Question

Which of the following is used as an antioxidant in fats and oils?

• A. BHA
• B. BHF
• C. HBT
• D. HBA

Hint:

Memorize the "big four" synthetic antioxidants used in food: BHA, BHT, PG, and TBHQ. If you see one of these in an exam question about antioxidants, it is very likely the correct answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Antioxidants are food additives used to prevent or delay oxidative rancidity in foods that contain fats and oils. This is achieved by donating a hydrogen atom to free radicals, thus terminating the chain reaction of oxidation. Several synthetic phenolic compounds are commonly used for this purpose.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- BHA stands for Butylated Hydroxyanisole. It is a widely used, effective, and approved synthetic antioxidant for preserving fats, oils, and fat-containing products like cereals, chewing gum, and potato chips.
- Other common synthetic antioxidants include BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), PG (Propyl Gallate), and TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone).
- The other acronyms listed (BHF, HBT, HBA) are not standard names for approved food antioxidants.
Step 4: Final Answer:
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is a common antioxidant used in fats and oils. Therefore, option (A) is the correct answer.